We had the good fortune of connecting with Cara DeLalla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cara, what do you attribute your success to?
The success of our brand goes beyond the food. The relationships and bonds we create with our customers runs as deep as family. We remember your face, your name, your order because we genuinely care about every person who walks through our doors. When you dine at Meatballerz, you can genuinely taste the love in the food. We pour our heart and soul into everything we do and always strive to be better even when it seems there’s no room for improvement.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Sacrifice. That’s what sets me apart from others. Most people don’t realize there has been little to no personal gain when it comes to owning my own company. I have sacrificed many of the things that gave me an identity to pursue my dreams of owning a restaurant. Most weeks, I work between 70-80 hours. I rarely see my friends and family. I have slept on a couch. Didn’t know how I would put gas in my tank. In the end, it is the sacrifices I have made that got me to where I am today. My genuine love for food and passion for customer service is important but my willingness to do what it takes to make is at the core of my success. Our first food truck broke down dozens of times and was even stolen last summer. There’s times where we didn’t know how we would buy food. This is problem solving at its finest and the challenges we face are a necessary part of the game.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The cool thing about Atlanta is no two neighborhoods or experiences are the same. I think it’s important to experience every nook and cranny. The people, places, and food you find in each neighborhood varies. These days I find myself enjoying West Midtown for the hangs, East Atlanta for some of the best bites and drinks. Little Trouble is relatively new to the scene but definitely worth checking out for the craft cocktails, cool vibes, and great music. It’s the perfect place for a cocktail with friends. I would then head over to the rooftop at Ponce City Market because who doesn’t love carnival games and rides? There’s something nostalgic about doing the things you did as a kid as an adult. You can also grab some great nosh at Ponce City but you’re definitely going to pay top dollar. If we’re feeling hungry, I would rather head over to an undergound gem called Octopus Bar. It’s in East Atlanta at the back of another restaurant. They are only open from 10:30p-2:30a so be prepared to eat late. The menu consists of Vietnamese style small plates. The last stop of the evening would have to be the classic Claremont Lounge because, why not? It doesn’t hurt to also checkout the awesome hotel renovations and Tiny Lous.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout to my business partner who also happens to be my mother, Catherine DeLalla. She has been a constant source of inspiration and support throughout this journey. It’s no secret she comes equipped with the family recipes and overseas all of the cooking in our kitchen. Beyond her involvement in the day to day business, she provides much needed encouragement on days when I have wanted to give up. She always supports our dream and her steadfast belief in Meatballerz has helped me stay motivated. Two years ago she was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. Despite her diagnosis, she put up a fight and pushed through it while continuing to work. I am lucky to have a strong, female mentor, partner, and friend to share this journey with.

Website: www.meatballerzatl.com
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Linkedin: caradelalla
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Facebook: meatballerzatl
Yelp: meatballerz